Medusa Curls Party Platter (Print View)

Creamy dip base with rolled meats and colorful bell pepper curls, styled for festive gatherings.

# Components:

→ Central Dip

01 - 1 cup whipped cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/2 cup sour cream
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - Salt to taste

→ Curls

08 - 6 ounces prosciutto or deli ham, thinly sliced
09 - 6 ounces Genoa salami, thinly sliced
10 - 1 large red bell pepper
11 - 1 large yellow bell pepper
12 - 1 large green bell pepper
13 - 1 small English cucumber
14 - 1/2 cup pitted black olives

→ Garnishes

15 - Fresh dill or parsley sprigs
16 - Crushed red pepper flakes

# Directions:

01 - Combine cream cheese, sour cream, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Transfer the mixture to the center of a large serving platter and shape into a mound.
02 - Cut bell peppers into long, thin strips. For additional curl, use a julienne peeler or spiralizer on the peppers and English cucumber.
03 - Roll each slice of prosciutto and salami into loose curls or spirals.
04 - Arrange the meat curls and vegetable strips radiating outward from the dip mound, alternating colors and types to resemble snakes.
05 - Place a black olive at the end of each curled strip to mimic snake heads.
06 - Decorate the platter with fresh dill or parsley sprigs and sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
07 - Serve immediately with crackers, toasted bread, or fresh vegetable dippers on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of appetizer that stops conversations, everyone crowds around to see what you've made, and you get to feel like a genius for 25 minutes of actual work.
  • No cooking required means you can assemble it while wearing nice clothes without sweating through them.
  • It tastes indulgent and creamy while looking like edible art, the best kind of visual trick.
02 -
  • Cold ingredients make everything curl better, warm deli meat won't hold a shape, so ask for it cold and work quickly.
  • The platter itself matters, a dark background makes colors pop, white or light surfaces wash everything out.
  • Assemble this no more than two hours before serving or the vegetables start to weep and the meats lose their curl.
03 -
  • A chilled platter makes everything last longer and keeps curls crisp, stick your serving dish in the freezer for 15 minutes before assembly.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, assemble it on parchment paper first, then slide it onto your platter just before serving, cleanup becomes almost manageable.
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